Interpretive Handbook

Test
8325 :
Amobarbital, Serum

Amobarbital is an intermediate-acting barbiturate with hypnotic properties used in short-term treatment of insomnia and to reduce anxiety and provide sedation preoperatively.(1,2)

Amobarbital is administered by intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection. The duration of its hypnotic effect is about 6 to 8 hours. The drug distributes throughout the body, with a volume of distribution of 0.9 to 1.4 L/kg, and about 59% of a dose is bound to plasma proteins. Metabolism takes place in the liver primarily via hepatic microsomal enzymes. Its half-life is about 15 to 40 hours (mean: 25 hours). Excretion occurs mainly in the urine.(2,3)